Surname MacHendry - Meaning and Origin
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MacHendry: What does the surname MacHendry mean?
The last name MacHendry is an anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic MacEanruig, which translates to “son of Henry”. The roots of the name can be traced back to one of the original Clans of Scotland, the Clan McEanruig. The Clan McEanruig likely derives its origin from the ancient personal name Anrothan, of which the English Henry is a shortened version.
The Clan McEanruig can be found primarily in Argyll. It is assumed that the clan originated in Ireland sometime during the 5th century AD. In the 16th century, the clan moved to Scotland, initially settling in the area now known as County Antrim. Later, they moved to Argyll and are thought to be first recorded there in the late 16th century.
The Clan McEanruig was primarily a farming and fishing clan. The MacHendry name likely derives from the occupation of the clan, as "hendry" is a Gaelic term for a smith or metalworker, which is an occupation associated with the crafting of fishing gear. Other surnames associated with the Clan McEanruig include MacHenry and MacKendry.
Today, the surname MacHendry remains common in central and northern Scotland, as well as in Northern Ireland. Those with the surname MacHendry can trace their heritage to the legacy of one of the original Clans of Scotland, the Clan McEanruig.
Order DNA origin analysisMacHendry: Where does the name MacHendry come from?
The last name MacHendry is commonly found in Scotland today. It is of Scottish origin and likely derived from the Scottish Gaelic “Mac Eanraig”, which means "son of Henry". The MacHendry surname is believed to have been primarily found in southwestern Scotland.
Today, MacHendry is most commonly found in the Scottish counties of Ayrshire and Wigtown. It is also found in many other areas of Scotland, such as Moray, Aberdeenshire, and Perth. It is one of the more popular surnames, appearing as one of the 101 most common Scottish surnames, according to statistics from the General Register Office for Scotland.
The MacHendry surname is also found outside of Scotland, particularly in areas with large Scottish populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and England. In the United States, around 10,000 people bear the name MacHendry.
The MacHendry surname is still fairly rare, but it is likely to gain popularity in Scotland and beyond in the years to come.
Variations of the surname MacHendry
The surname MacHendry has several alternatives and spellings that still fall under its origin. The most common variant is the MacHenry spelling. This alternative spelling can be found all over the world and is especially popular in Scotland and Ireland, where the surname originated.
Other variations of MacHendry, most often seen in Scotland and Ireland, include MacRandry, MacHenry, MacHenery, MacHendrie, MacHenrie and MacKendry. These spellings have become more distant variants of the original surname, as they have been passed down in families for generations.
In addition to these variants, there are a few interchangeable surnames that have the same meaning. The most common interchangeable surname is MacAndrew, which originated in Scotland and is still in use today.
Other interchangeable surnames include MacAndrie, MacAndro, MacAndrow, MacAndri, MacAndrews and MacAndrev. These surnames might not sound exactly like MacHendry, but they are still seen as having the same meaning and origin.
Finally, there are some more distant variations of the surname MacHendry, including many spellings from other countries. These spellings include Henre, Henree, Hendry, Enri, and Hendri. These spellings are all derived from the original surname MacHendry and are still in use in different areas of the world.
Famous people with the name MacHendry
- Ed MacHendry: Canadian actor, screenwriter, and director
- Robert MacHendry: British composer and musician
- Juha MacHendry: Finnish composer, musician, and artist
- George MacHendry: Scottish photographer and artist
- Monique MacHendry: Canadian writer and feminist
- Molly MacHendry: Canadian writer and columnist
- Nancy MacHendry: Canadian singer and musician
- Patrick MacHendry: Canadian drummer referred to as one of Canada's best-kept secrets
- Gerry MacHendry: Northern Irish playwright and actor
- Colm MacHendry: Irish poet and short story writer